New lawsuit alleges a collapsed college targeted homeless students and those with low self-esteem

Corinthian Colleges was previously the second largest for-profit college chain in the US before it collapsed last year, under intense pressure stemming from legal issues from state and federal agencies.

Now, ProPublica has shed light into some of the most questionable practices of the former college, analysing documents filed by California’s attorney general as part of a lawsuit against the school.

The documents show that the school actively recruited homeless students and helped them take out federal student loans that they were unable to pay back.

In one testimony, Hollie Harsh, a homeless student recruited by Corinthian, explained her situation at the school.

“We had to complete all of our studies and homework in the Heald Campus computer lab as we had no electricity in our tent,” she said.

Eventually, Harsh said she dropped out of Corinthian due to the stress of her living environment, but not before owing more than $15,000 in debt.

“I do not know how I will ever be able to replay this student loan,” she said in her statement. “I now believe that I was taken advantage of and given false hope by [Corinthian] just so that I would enroll in their school.”

The complaint also included marketing materials that allege Corinthian intentionally targeted students predisposed to feeling like they were out of options, as well as those with low self-esteem.

One particular internal Corinthian communication document described prospective students as people with “low self-esteem” who are “isolated,” “stuck, unable to see and plan well for future,” and “impatient, and want quick solutions.”

Evan Borges, a former counselor to Corinthian, told ProPublica: “Corinthian, as we know it, is gone, effective as of the date of the bankruptcy.”